Beer Making
These varieties, although high in alpha acids, have quite acceptable aroma properties. These can be used for boiling and late additions but are usually unsuitable for dry hopping.
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Amarillo
from £4.90More information
Amarillo is a relatively new American hop variety with an orange-citrus flavour. Use sparingly for flavouring as the orange flavour can dominate.Superb for late/dry hopping.
USA
Alpha Acid 8.0% - 10.0% -
Atlas
from £4.50More information
A member of the Super Styrian group this is a dual purpose bittering/aroma hop bred originally from Brewers Gold.
Slovenia
Alpha Acid 7.0 - 8.5% -
Aurora (Super Styrians)
from £4.50More informationAurora, from Slovenia, is a member of the Super Syrians Group. It is a good dual purpose variety contributing moderate levels of bittering coupled with a pleasant European aroma. Don't confuse these with Styrian Goldings as Aurora was originally a seedling of Northern Brewer!
Slovenia
Alpha Acid 4.5 - 6.0% -
Brewers Gold
from £3.90More information
Very popular in Germany as a 'copper hop'. Its bitterness is highly suited to Lager beers, as it shows no sign of harshness. Brewers Gold is at its best when used in conjunction with 'noble varieties' such as Tettnang and Hallertauer Mittelfrüh.
Germany
Alpha Acid 4.5 - 6.5% -
Challenger
from £4.70More information
Originally developed as a Goldings replacement, Challenger is a very versatile variety. Many brewers have found that excellent beers can be brewed from Challenger alone. It has fine bittering properties and a respectable aroma. More commonly, though, it is combined with a dedicated aroma variety. Challenger is gradually commanding less and less acreage these days as it gives way to more disease resistant varieties, such as the dwarf, Pioneer.
United Kingdom
Alpha Acid 6.5 - 8.0% -
Green Bullet
from £5.95More informationExceptional quality hop which has a pleasant aroma as well as a very high alpha acid content. Used in New Zealand for many lager types, Green Bullet can be economically substituted for Styrian Goldings.
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Northdown
from £4.00More information
Northdown is a seedling of Northern Brewer, which is no longer grown in Britain. It retains much of its parent's fine bittering properties but has a much-improved aroma. Although Northdown can be used on its own to good effect, especially in darker styles of beer, it is the ideal accompaniment to aroma hops such as Fuggles or Progress. It is particularly suited to Irish Stout.
United Kingdom
Alpha Acid 7.0 - 8.5% -
Pacific Gem
from £5.95More informationAlthough it has one of the highest alpha acid contents in the world, Pacific Gem has a delicious berry-fruit aroma much prized by many commercial brewers. More suited to ales than lagers.
New Zealand
Alpha Acid 14 - 18% -
Pilgrim
from £4.50More information
Only developed by Wye College in 2000, Pilgrim has already proved popular as an alternative to the more traditional high-alpha hops such as Northdown and Northern Brewer. It is a true dual purpose hop as, besides its high bittering power, Pilgrim possesses excellent aromatic properties.
United Kingdom
Alpha Acid 11.0 - 12.5% -
Pioneer
from £4.70More information
Pioneer (UK) - Alpha Acid 8.5 - 9.5%
Pioneer is one of the new breed of 'dwarf hops' developed at Wye College in Kent. These plants grow to a height of around eight feet which makes harvesting them much easier than the usual eighteen feet varieties. Brewing trials by commercial breweries have been encouraging, with a fine aroma and a delicate bitterness in evidence. These are likely to become a firm favourite with home brewers in the future.
